Fastener device

ABSTRACT

A unitary, one-piece fastener device for detachably mounting a plurality of apertured panels in stacked, spaced relation including an elongated body adapted for insertion at either end through the apertures in the panels. The body includes a series of lengthwise spaced, cam-like abutments disposed for resilient camming and locking engagement with respective of the panels for detachably mounting the same in such stacked relation in the installed position thereof.

United States Patent 1 1 [in 3,733,655 Kolibar 1 1 May 22, 1973 54]FASTENER DEVICE 3,651,545 3/1972 Hara ..24 73 P 1 1 Irv/@1110" h 1112115 2 l FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1 ijvl *Dfive, Parma, Ohio44130 1,464,882 11/1966 France ..24/73 AP F1led= .1 979,470 111965 GreatBritain pp- No: 195,227 1,135,580 12/1968 Great Britain ..24/73 APPrimary Examiner-Donald A. Griffin [52] US. Cl ..24/73 P, 85/5 RAttorney-Howard D. Gordon [51] Int. Cl. ..A44b 21/00 [58] Field ofSearch ..85/5, 80, DIG. 2; [57] ABSTRACT 16/2; 24/213 R, 208 A, 213 CS,213 B, 73 R, A unita ry, one-piece fastener device for detachably 73 7373 73. 73 73 73 mounting a plurality of apertured panels in stacked, 7373 AP s aced relation including an elongated body ada ted P P forinsertion at either end through the apertures in the [.56] Referencespanels. The body includes a series of lengthwise UNITED STATES PATENTSspaced, cam-like abutments disposed for resilient cammmg and lockingengagement with respective of 2,627,094 2/1953 Bedford ..24/213 B X thepanels for detachably mounting the same in such 2,665,927 I 1954 BeckerR X stacked relation in the installed position thereof. 2,799,118 7/1957Lullo ..85/DIG. 2 UX 2,909,957 10/1959 Rapata ..85/5 R 5 Claims, 3Drawing Figures P/UHHEUMYZZ I975 RlCHARD w. KOLIBAR FASTENER DEVICEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a fastenerdevice for mounting a plurality of apertured support members, and moreparticularly relates to a fastener device for detachably mounting aplurality of apertured panels or the like in stacked, spaced relationwith respect to one another. The fastener device of the presentinvention has particular application in mounting three or more aperturedelectrical components, such as printed circuit boards, panels or thelike, in spaced, superposed or stacked relation by snap-actioninstallation.

I-Ieretofore, various types of fasteners have been employed for mountinga series of support members, such as panels or the like, in a stackedrelation. However, difficulties have arisen in mounting a series ofapertured panels in stacked and spaced apart relation with respect toone another, especially when it is required to mount three or more ofsuch panels. Generally, such devices have been of a multi-partconstruction having either one or both ends relatively permanentlyaffixed to a respective one of the parts. Such arrangements are not onlyexpensive to produce and time consuming to install, but are difficult toremove from the assembly without damage or destruction, therebypreventing effective reuse of the fastener for repeated installations.Moreover, such devices do not provide a controllable pull-out force andhence, would require auxiliary equipment or tools to detach the partsfor repeated usage of the fastener. In addition, such devicesnecessitate the use of various size hole openings in the panelsresulting in the requirement to fabricate corresponding hole openings inthe panels and/or to inventory a variety of fastener sizes. Further,such devices, other than the multi-part types, are generally constructedso as to be insertable only at one end through the panel hole openingresulting in an inefficient method of installation, especially when itis desired to mount three or more panels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A unitary, one-piece fastener device adaptedfor mounting a plurality of apertured support members, such as panels orthe like, in spaced, superposed relation with respect to one anothercomprising, an elongated body member made from a polymeric materialadapted to be inserted at either end through the respective apertures insaid support members, said body member including a resilient cam-likeabutment means adjacent the opposed ends thereof, and at least one otherresilient camlike abutment means disposed between said ends fordetachably mounting said support members in spaced, superposed relationby snap-action installation. In the form shown, the abutment meansadjacent the opposed ends includes a pair of resilient body portionsdisposed on opposed sides of an aperture extending through said body,and cam-like abutment elements made integral with and extendingoutwardly from said body portions adapted for resilient inward andoutward movement upon insertion of said body member through therespective aperture in an associated one of said support members. Theother abutment means includes at least one other pair of resilient bodyportions disposed on opposed sides of an aperture extending through saidbody member, and with cam-like abutment elements made integral with andextending outwardly from said body portions adapted for resilient inwardand outward movement upon insertion of said body member through therespective aperture in one of said support members for holding three ormore support members in spaced, superposed relation with respect to oneanother in the installed position thereof.

From the foregoing, the following description and accompanying drawings,it will be seen that the present invention provides a novel fastenerdevice which is of a unitary, one-piece construction which is relativelysimple and economical to produce, but which is of a rugged high strengthconstruction suitable for repeated usage. The fastener of the inventionis of an elongated body construction capable of insertion at either endthrough the aperture in a panel or the like enabling the panels to bequickly and easily installed from either or both ends of the device, asdesired. The device includes a novel arrangement of a plurality oflengthwise spaced resilient cam-like abutment means adapted for facile,snap-action installation and holding engagement with the panels, andwhich enables the panels to be fabricated with the same size holeopenings for use with the fasteners of the invention. The resilientabutment means are constructed and arranged so as to provide acontrollable pull-out force to provide optimum holding power between theparts, yet to facilitate disassembly of the fastener from the partswithout damage or destruction thereof for repeated usage of thefastener. In the invention, the fastener device is preferably made froma polymeric material which has relatively high strength characteristicsfor maintaining the panels in spaced, superposed relation with respectto one another, yet which has sufficient resilient characteristics atthe areas of the cam-like abutment means to enable snap-actioninstallation of the fastener device with the apertured panels, and whichprovides a good insulation between such panels in the installed positionthereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a generally perspective viewof the fastener device made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, front elevation view, on a reduced scale, andpartly in section, illustrating the fastener device of the presentinvention in installed position for mounting a plurality of panels orthe like in spaced, superposed relation; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, front elevation view, on an enlarged scale andpartly in section, illustrating in greater detail the construction ofthe fastener device of the present invention and its interaction withthe panels in such installed position thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring again to the drawingsand in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, there is illustrated thefastener device of the invention, designated generally at 2, which maybe employed for mounting a plurality of support members or panels A, Band C in spaced, superposed or stacked relation with respect to oneanother. For example, the panels A and B may be printed circuit boardsmounted on a frame or chassis C. Accordingly, though the device 2 hasbeen illustrated for mounting three panels, it is to be understood thatthe principles of the invention can be employed for mounting any numberof panels of varying sizes, as desired.

In general, the device 2 can be uniquely employed for mounting a seriesof apertured panels for the reason that, among other things, it can beinstalled from either end thereof. In use, for example, the middle panelB may first be installed from either end of the device 2, whereupon, theother two remaining panels A and C may then be installed adjacent theopposite ends, all by means of a quick and positive snap-actionattachment, as will hereinafter be more fully described.

As best illustrated in FIG. 1, the device 2 includes an elongated bodymember, designated generally at 4, of unitary one-piece constructionhaving opposed leading or pilot-like end portions 6 and 8, either ofwhich can be inserted through the apertures or hole openings (a, b,c,)'provided in the respective panels A, B, and C, as best seen in FIG.2. In the form shown, the body member 4 is of a cylindrical constructionadapted to be inserted through corresponding circular openings in therespective panels. It is to be understood, however, that the body membermay be constructed in other shapes which are non-circular, such aspolygonal shapes including, for example, square, rectangular or thelike.

In the invention, the respective lead end portions 6 and 8 of the bodymember 4 are generally of an identical construction so that thefollowing description will proceed with respect to the end portion 6,for example, wherein like reference characters have been applied to likeparts for convenience of illustration. In the embodiment shown, the endportion 6 is provided with a support or cam-like abutmentmeans,designated generally at 7, for snap-action and interlocking engagementwith a respective one of the apertured panels. Preferably, the abutmentmeans 7 is of a bifurcated construction defined by an elongated linearlyextending aperture or kerf-like slot 14 which opens onto the respectiveend thereof. The slot 14 defines a pair of oppositely disposed resilientbody portions in the form of tongues 10 and 12 which extend parallel tothe slot 14 and which constitute integral extensions of the body member4. By this arrangement, the resilient tongues 10 and 12 can moveinwardly and outwardly with respect to one another upon application offorce to the exterior surfaces thereof upon installation with a respective one of the panels upon insertion of either end of the bodymember 4 into the respective aperture of the panel.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, each of the tongues 10 and 12 is providedwith a pair of oppositely disposed abutment elements in the form of nibsor protuberance elements 16 and 20 made integral therewith and extendingoutwardly therefrom. The elements 16 and 20 are preferably disposedlengthwise of the body member 4 and are spaced apart, as at 18 and 22, adistance sufficient to receive the maximum thickness (p) of the paneltherebetween. Preferably, the distance between opposed of the elementpairs 16 and 20 is the same (i.e., ratio 1:1) to that of the maximumthickness of the panel or the distance may be slightly less than thethickness of the panel so as to provide a biting or gripping engagementof the marginal edges of the opening of the panel with the confrontingsurfaces of the respective elements in the installed position thereof.As shown, the elements of each pair 16 and 20 are generally of afrusto-conical configuration having inclined or tapered ramp-like camsurfaces 21 which extend generally linearly and which fall abruptly intocurved abutment shoulders 23 (FIG. 3) which provide an overlying lockingaction on the confronting marginal surfaces of the respective panel inthe installed position. Preferably, the elements are provided with aramp angle (y) which is sufficient to facilitate insertion of the leadend 6 of the body member through the respective panel opening and toenable the panel to ride-up and over the ramp surfaces upon resilientinward movement thereof so that the panel thickness can be seated in therecess space between the respective shoulders 23 of the elements.Preferably, the abutment angle (x) of the shoulders 23 is sufficient toprovide a positive holding engagement with the confronting marginaledges of the panel and is preferably curved so as to enable the panel toride-up and over the shoulders to facilitate removal without damage tothe elements.

To provide good resilient inward and outward movement of the tongues 10and 12 with respect to one another and to provide optimum cam action andholding engagement with the panel, it is preferred that the slot 14 havea lengthwise dimension so as to extend slightly beyond the respectivepairs of elements 16 and 20, as best seen in FIG. 3. Accordingly, it ispreferred that the width (w) of the slots 14 be proportioned in relationto the maximum height (h) of each of the respective elements to providean optimum controllable pull-out force between the parts. For example,it has been found that the proportions should be in the ratio range from1:1 to 3:1 with a range of 2:1 being preferred. In the embodiment shown,for example, the element pairs 16 and 20 each have a maximum height hequal to approximately one-half the width of the slot 14 so as to give aratio of(w) 2 (h) or 1:1. Further, in the embodiment shown, it ispreferred that the length of the slots 14 be greater than the combinedlengths of each of the element pairs 16 and 20 and the thickness of thepanel so as to extend slightly beyond the innermost pair of ele' ments,as aforesaid.

In the invention, the body member 4 is provided between its opposedleading ends 6 and 8 with one or more support or cam-like abutmentmeans, designated generally at 28, so as to enable the device to supportthree or more apertured panels in spaced, superposed relation withrespect to one another, as desired. In the embodiment shown, theabutment means 28 is generally similar to that of the abutment means 7at the opposed ends of the body member 4, except that in this case anelongated linear extending aperture or kerf-like slot 30 is providedwhich may have a slightly greater length as compared to the slots 14 andis completely confined by the material of the body member 4. Here again,the resilient body portions defined by the slot 30 are provided withopposed pairs of abutments or cam like protuberance elements 32 and 36made integral therewith and extending outwardly therefrom. The elementpairs 32 and 36 are spaced apart, as at 34, 38, so as to accommodate thethickness (p) of a respective one of the apertured panels therebetween.Accordingly, the respective slots 14 and 30 are preferably of the samewidth and are disposed in aligned parallel relationship with respect toone another so that their longitudinal axes are coincident with thelongitudinal central axis of the body member 4. Accordingly, it will beseen that any number of the abutment means 28 may be provided withvariation in the axial spacement therebetween so as to accommodate andmount any number of panels in a predetermined spaced, superposedrelation, as desired.

In the invention, the body member 4 may have a maximum transversedimension (i.e., diameter) which is approximately the same as orslightly less than the corresponding maximum dimension (i.e., diameter)of the apertures or openings (a, b, c) provided in the respectivepanels. In this regards, it is to be understood, however, that in theevent the body member 4 were formed in some other non-circular shapethat the apertures or holes in the panels would be formed in acorresponding shape. Moreover, the respective cam-like element pairs 16,20, 32, and 36, for example, would be similarly shaped to correspond tothe shape of the body member and hence, to the shape of the aperture oropening to which the device is to be applied for a given mountingapplication.

In the invention, it is preferred that the fastener device be made froma relatively high strength material having good electrical insulatingcharacteristics, but which provides the necessary resilientcharacteristics for snap-action mounting of the panels. For example, itis preferred that the device be made-from a polymeric material, such asplastic materials including nylon or the like, and relatively hardrubbers or the like.

In a typical application, one of the panels, such as B, may first beinstalled by inserting one of the end por tions, as at 6, through theassociated aperture or opening (b) in the panel so that the confrontingmarginal edges of the panel opening ride-up along the ramp surfaces 21of the opposed cam-like elements 16 and 20 which causes the tongues and12 to resiliently bias inwardly toward one another. Continued movementbetween the parts causes the marginal edges of the panel opening to passup and over the high points on the cam surfaces until the panel dropsinto place in the recess opening, as at 18 and 22, between the elementpairs, whereupon, the tongues then move resiliently apart for snappingthe shoulders 23 in overlying engagement with the marginal edges of thepanel. Further movement of the panel causes the marginal edges toride-up and over the curved surfaces of the shoulders 23 to again biasthe tongues 10 and 12 inwardly to enable the panel to clear the firstabutment means 7. The panel is then moved in a direction toward the nextsuccessive abutment means, as at 28, where the camming and snap-actioninterlocking engagement is repeated for finally seating the panel insecured position between the respective cam element pairs 32 and 36.Here again, the ramp surfaces 35 and shoulders 37 coact in a similarmanner with the confronting marginal edges of the opening in the panelto enable initial resilient inward movement of the body portions andthen resilient outward movement of such portions to provide an efficientsnap-action securement with the panel. After the first panel isinstalled, the other panels, such as A and C, may then be installed in asimilar manner at the opposed ends 6 and 8 of the body member 4 tocomplete the assembly. Accordingly, by this arrangement it will be seenthat the fastener device is constructed and arranged to enable anynumber of panels with a single sized hole opening to be mounted fromeither end of the fastener device or for quick and efficient removaltherefrom in a similar manner, as desired.

I claim:

1. A unitary fastener mounting a plurality of panels having like-sizedapertures through which said fastener extends in spaced,generally-superposed relation, said fastener comprising:

an elongated body member of polymeric material having a plurality ofelongated, axially-extending spaced slots extending therethrough;

a set of protuberances for each slot extending from the surface of saidmember and axially-extending a distance less than that of said slots;

each set having at least two protuberances with one protuberance spacedon one side of said slot and the other protuberance on the other side ofsaid slot and each protuberance in each set axiallyspaced from oneanother a distance corresponding to the thickness of said plates wherebysaid panels are mounted by the fastener; and

said body member having a cross-sectional configuration between saidprotuberance sets generally conforming to said apertures in said panels.

2. The fastener as defined in claim 1 wherein each protuberance includesan outwardly-tapered ramp-like surface and a cam-like surface extendinginwardly from said ramplike surface toward said body member, theintersection of said ramp-like surface with said camlike surfacedefining the maximum height of each protuberance, said maximum heightbeing not less than one-third the width of said slot.

3. The fastener as defined in claim 2 wherein said maximum height is notgreater than said slot width.

4. The fastener as defined in claim 1 wherein each axial end of saidbody member coincides with an end of a protuberance set to definebifurcated axial-end portion constructions in said elongated member.

5. A unitary fastener for mounting a plurality of panels havinglike-sized apertures through which said fastener extends in spaced,generally-superposed relation, said fastener comprising:

an elongated body member of polymeric material having a plurality ofelongated, axially-extending slots extending there-through, said slotsspaced to define bifurcated axial end portion constructions in saidelongated member with at least one slot inter-i posed said end portions;

a set of protuberances for each slot extending from the surface of saidmember and axially-extending a distance less than that of said slots;

each set defined by a first pair of aligned protuberances disposed onopposite sides of said slot, a second pair of aligned protuberancesdisposed on opposite sides of said slot, said first and second pairsspaced apart a predetermined distance for mount ing a panel between saidpairs; and

each protuberance defined by an outwardly-tapered ramp-like surface anda cam-like surface extending inwardly from said ramp-like surface towardsaid body member.

1. A unitary fastener mounting a plurality of panels having like-sizedapertures through which said fastener extends in spaced,generally-superposed relation, said fastener comprising: an elongatedbody member of polymeric material having a plurality of elongated,axially-extending spaced slots extending therethrough; a set ofprotuberances for each slot extending from the surface of said memberand axially-extending a distance less than that of said slots; each sethaving at least two protuberances with one protuberance spaced on oneside of said slot and the other protuberance on the other side of saidslot and each protuberance in each set axially-spaced from one another adistance corresponding to the thickness of said plates whereby saidpanels are mounted by the fastener; and said body member having across-sectional configuration between said protuberance sets generallyconforming to said apertures in said panels.
 2. The fastener as definedin claim 1 wherein each protuberance includes an outwardly-taperedramp-like surface and a cam-like surface extending inwardly from saidramplike surface toward said body member, the intersection of saidramp-like surface with said cam-like surface defining the maximum heightof each protuberance, said maximum height being not less than one-thirdthe width of said slot.
 3. The fastener as defined in claim 2 whereinsaid maximum height is not greater than said slot width.
 4. The fasteneras defined in claim 1 wherein each axial end of said body membercoincides with an end of a protuberance set to define bifurcatedaxial-end portion constructions in said elongated member.
 5. A unitaryfastener for mounting a plurality of panels having like-sized aperturesthrough which said fastener extends in spaced, generally-superposedrelation, said fastener comprising: an elongated body member ofpolymeric material having a plurality of elongated, axially-extendingslots extending there-through, said slots spaced to define bifurcatedaxial end portion constructions in said elongated member with at leastone slot interposed said end portions; a set of protuberances for eachslot extending from the surface of said member and axially-extending adistance less than that of said slots; each set defined by a first pairof aligned protuberances disposed on opposite sides of said slot, asecond pair of aligned protuberances disposed on opposite sides of saidslot, said first and second pairs spaced apart a predetermined distancefor mounting a panel between said pairs; and each protuberance definedby an outwardly-tapered ramp-like surface and a cam-like surfaceextending inwardly from said ramp-like surface toward said body member.